Bundle conductor clamp

ABSTRACT

A clamping assembly for supporting a plurality of bundle conductors across the top of an upright insulator. The single main casting has a plurality of spaced-apart conductor channels equipped with a single clamp for all conductors and is supported for limited pivotal movement crosswise of threaded rod means provided with adjustable clamps at its ends for securing the assembly to an insulator top.

I United States Patent 11 1 1 lmemof Lilldsey [56] References Cited Ave., Pasadena. 107 [21 1 App]. No 835,442

. 1,334,802 3/1920 Schneider 24/81(.4)X [221 Filed June 23, 1969 [45] Patented Jan 5 197 3.026368 3/1962 Lindsey 174/169 3,026,497 3/1962 Myers et al. 339/246 FOREIGN PATENTS 181,302 3/1955 Austria .4 174/172 Primary Examiner-Laramie E. Askin Attorney-Sellers and Brace [54] BUNDLE CONDUCTOR CLAMP V F 9 4 Drawmg ABSTRACT: A clamping assembly for supporting a plurality [52] U.S.Cl. 174/169, of bundle conductors across the top of an upright insulator. 4/ 1 Z 172 The single main casting has a plurality of spaced-apart con- [51] Int. Cl "01b 17/16 ductor channels equipped with a single clamp for all conduc- [50] Field of Search 174/40, tors and is supported for limited pivotal movement crosswise 168, 169, 172; 248/63, 64, 65; 24/81.4, 125, 135; of threaded rod means provided with adjustable clamps at its 339/246 ends for securing the assembly to an insulator top.

BUNDLE CONDUCTOR CLAMP This invention relates to high-tension conductor clamping assemblies, and more particularly to a simple rugged assembly designed to support a group of bundle conductors across the top of an insulator.

The problem of supporting the bundle conductors reliably by simply constructed rugged clamping means presents numerous problems andrequirements not satisfied by clamping expedients utilized heretofore. The new requirements are met in a highly satisfactory manner by the present invention without need for changes in existing power line equipment and accessories. The capabilities of the present invention permit doubling the capacity of an existing transmission line using single conductors without need for changes in the existing power line, increasing the clearance with other lines, or additional bracing and guy cables as would be necessary if the original conductor were replaced with a single conductor of double capacity. I

These striking results are achieved by converting the existing line to bundle conductors supported from the top of upright conductorsby the inventi'onclamping assembly. This assembly is characterized by .a unitary main casting having a pair of upwardlyv facing conductor seating channels arranged to support a plurality of bundle conductors in appropriately spaced parallel relation. This casting is supported for limited tilting movement about an axis extendinglengthwise of the conductor seating channels and located in a plane midway between these channels. More specifically the pivotal support is provided by a threaded rod extending crosswise of the insulator and equipped at its opposite ends with adjustable clamping means for securing it to the top of the insulator. The single conductor clamping jaw common to both. conductor channels utilizes cap screw means to clamp the jaw and conductors rigidly in place.

I Another object of the invention is the provision of a bundle conductor clamping assembly adapted 'to be detachably clamped to an insulator and connected thereto through a pivot axis extending between and parallel to the bundle conductors.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a bundle conductor clamping assembly having a plurality of conductor seating channelsoverlying and extending parallel to supporting rod means extending parallel to the conductors and having adjustable clamping jaw means at its opposite ends for securing the assembly to an insulator. I

These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading the following specification and claims and upon considering in connection therewith the attached drawing to which they relate. I

Referring now to the drawing in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated: I

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the invention bundle conductor clamping assembly;

FIG. 2 is a transverse elevational view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line 33 on FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line 4-4 on FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the bundle conductor clamping assembly, designated generally 10, and comprising a main body casting 11 supported on a threaded rod 12 provided at its opposite ends with similar clamping jaws 13. Assembly is detachably securable across the top of a conventionalupright power line insulator 14 having an annular groove 15 encircling its top and sometimes used as an anchorage for tie wires employed to lash a conductor to the insulator top.

Rod 12 is threaded from its opposite ends over which the clamping jaws 13 are telescoped. Each jaw is provided at its lower end with an arcuate seat 16 conforming generally to the curvature of insulator groove 15. It will be understood that the tightening of the clamping nuts 17, 17 on rod 12 is effective to clamp assembly 10 rigidly and immovably to the insulator.

Main casting 11 includes a pair of elongated parallel upwardly opening conductor seating channels 20, 21 interconnected by downwardly extending boss 22. The latter is provided with a threaded opening 23 mating with the threads on rod 12. The upper edges of the adjacent sidewalls of channels 20, 21 are notched 24 to internest with an elongated clamping jaw 26. As is best shown in FIG. 3, the latter preferably has a length fitting loosely between the remote outer sidewalls of the conductor seating channels 20, 21.'The undersides of its opposite ends are concave in contour, as is indicated at 27, along an arc conforming generally with the bottom of channels 20 and 21 in order that these portions of the clamping jaw may seat firmly against the upper sides of the conductor 31. The midportion of clamping jaw 26 is provided with a pair of openings '28 to receive cap screws 29. The latter have threaded lower ends mating with threaded bores 30 in main casting 11. Of importance is the fact that cap screws 29 are disposed along the inner sides of either of the associated seating channels and close to the center of the main casting where they are highly effective in providing maximum clamping power against jaw 26 and the conductors.

Referring to FIG. 3, it will be noted that the lower transverse edge of boss 22 is close to the top surface of insulator 14. The spacing between this surface and the insulator top varies somewhat depending upon the degree of tightening of clamping nuts 17, the tighter these nuts are wrenched causing rod 12 to bow downwardly. Additionally, this undersurface is provided with a transverse rounded bulge 32 which can be assembled in bearing contact with the top surface of the insulator.

Accordingly, it will be apparent that the main casting 11 has limited freedom to pivot about the axis of rod 12 in a plane extending transversely of the conductors and of rod 12. This freedom permits the assembly to respond to varying wind loads, side sway and the like forces frequently imposed on power transmission lines thereby protecting the insulator against severe stress. Additionally, this limited pivoting movement enables the main casting to tilt at curves along the length of the power line.

In the use of the described bundle conductor clamping assembly, the assembly is first secured firmly in place on an insulator top with the axis of clamping rod 12 extending parallel to the length of line at that point. Prior to lowering the high-tension conductors into the seating channels, clamping jaw 26 is detached leaving both channels unobstructed. The bundle conductors are commonly strung as a unit using appropriate handling equipment and lowered simultaneously into channels 20, 21. Thereafter clamping jaw 26 is assembled into notches 24 and clamping screws 29,are inserted and tightened.

While the particular bundle conductor clamp herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capably of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it'is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the detail of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.

Iclaim:

l. A bundle conductor clamping assembly for detachable support across the outer end of a power transmission line insulator of the type having an annular groove encircling the outer 1 channels interconnected by downwardly projecting threaded with the midportion of said threaded rod means, conductor clampingjaw means formed separately from said main casting and having a length approximating the spacing between the remote interior sidewalls of said pair of channels and shaped to embrace the juxtaposed surface of an adjacent power conductor, and threaded cap screw means extending downwardly through the midportion of said clamping jaw means into the said main casting and effective on being tightened to clamp a respective one of bundle power conductors immovably in place in said conductor seating channels.

2. A bundle conductor clamping assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said conductor seating channels lie generally parallel to said threaded rod means.

3. A bundle conductor clamping assembly as defined in claim 2 characterizedv in that said threaded rod means is located in a plane between said conductor seating channels.

4. A bundle conductor clamping assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the adjacent sidewalls ofsaid conductor seating channels'are notched for a distance corresponding to the width of said clamping jaw means to seat the latter and cooperating with the lateral edges thereof to hold the same in proper position for insertion of said cap screw means.

5. A bundle conductor clamping assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said cap screw means project downwardly into said main casting between said conductor seating channels.

6. A bundle conductor clamping assembly as defined i claim 1 characterized in that said cap screw means includes a pair of cap screws one positioned closely beside. the adjacent sidewalls of a respective one said conductor seating channel and highly effective to apply a maximum of clamping pressure on the adjacent end of said clamping jaw means:

7. A bundle conductor clamping assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said threaded rod means comprises a single threaded member'having its axis lying generallyparallel to and in a vertical plane'passing between said con-: ductor seating channels, and said main casting havingslight ability to pivot in a plane parallel to'th'e axis of said threaded rod means. a

8. A bundle conductor clampinga'ssembly as defihed in claim 1 characterized in that the adjustable clamping jaws at the opposite ends of said threaded rod meansinclude an associated clamping nut accessible for wrenching in a plane'extending crosswise of the adjacent ends of said conductor 'seat-.. ing channels.

9. A bundle conductor clamping assembly as defined'in claim 1 characterized in that the midportion of thelower edge; of said threaded boss means projects further than the opposite; lower end edges of said boss means, said midportion of said a boss means being positioned to bear against the top of an insu-.,- lator and to cooperate with said threaded rod means and with the lower end edges of said boss means to permit limited pivotal movement of said main casting transversely of the length of said conductor seating channels. 

1. A bundle conductor clamping assembly for detachable support across the outer end of a power transmission line insulator of the type having an annular groove encircling the outer end thereof, said assembly comprising threaded rod means supporting a pair of adjustable clamping jaws on its opposite ends effective when tightened to seat in the annular groove encircling the top of an insulator to clamp said assembly rigidly in place thereacross, a main casting having a pair of elongated parallel upwardly opening channel-shaped conductor seating channels interconnected by downwardly projecting threaded boss means centrally of the length of said channels mating with the midportion of said threaded rod means, conductor clamping jaw means formed separately from said main casting and having a length approximating the spacing between the remote interior sidewalls of said pair of channels and shaped to embrace the juxtaposed surface of an adjacent power conductor, and threaded cap screw means extending downwardly through the midportion of said clamping jaw means into the said main casting and effective on being tightened to clamp a respective one of bundle power conductors immovably in place in said conductor seating channels.
 2. A bundle conductor clamping assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said conductor seating channels lie generally parallel to said threaded rod means.
 3. A bundle conductor clamping assembly as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said threaded rod means is located in a plane between said conductor seating channels.
 4. A bundle conductor clamping assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the adjacent sidewalls of said conductor seating channels are notched for a distance corresponding to the width of said clamping jaw means to seat the latter and cooperating with the lateral edges thereof to hold the same in proper position for insertion of said cap screw means.
 5. A bundle conductor clamping assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said cap screw means project downwardly into said main casting between said conductor seating channels.
 6. A bundle conductor clamping assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said cap screw means includes a pair of cap screws one positioned closely beside the adjacent sidewalls of a respective one said conductor seating channel and highly effective to apply a maximum of clamping pressure on the adjacent end of said clamping jaw means.
 7. A bundle conductor clamping assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said threaded rod means comprises a single threaded member having its axis lying generally parallel to and in a vertical plane passing between said conductor seating channels, and said main casting having slight ability to pivot in a plane parallel to the axis of said threaded rod means.
 8. A bundle conductor clamping assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the adjustable clamping jaws at the opposite ends of said threaded rod means include an associated clamping nut accessible for wrenching in a plane extending crosswise of the adjacent ends of said conductor seating channels.
 9. A bundle conductor clamping assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the midportion of the lower edge of said threaded boss means projects further than the opposite lower end edges of said boss means, said midportion of said boss means being positioned to bear against the top of an insulator and to coOperate with said threaded rod means and with the lower end edges of said boss means to permit limited pivotal movement of said main casting transversely of the length of said conductor seating channels. 